Key facts
- Nurses are collapsing during shifts due to extreme heat, according to their union.
Nurses are collapsing due to extreme heat in hospitals, their union has warned. Andy Burnham acknowledged the urgency of climate adaptation measures while focusing on immediate crises, promising to address 'bigger questions' later. The UK faces record high temperatures and drought conditions.
The extreme heat is creating dangerous working conditions for healthcare professionals, impacting patient care and highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation measures within public infrastructure.
Nurses are collapsing during shifts due to extreme heat, with their union warning of "inhumane and impossible" working conditions. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reported staff experiencing dizziness, nausea, and risk of fainting, alongside pressure to care for vulnerable patients and keep medications cool in wards reaching over 30C. The RCN is calling for urgent installation of air conditioning, improved ventilation, and heat-appropriate uniforms.
As an amber warning for extreme heat is set to take effect, with temperatures forecast to reach 36C, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham stated his focus is on managing immediate crises caused by the ongoing heatwave. He acknowledged that "bigger questions" of climate adaptation would be addressed at the appropriate time. Burnham also suggested a possible ban on disposable barbecues due to fire risks.
Some Labour MPs have expressed concern that the urgency of climate adaptation is not being fully grasped, with one noting that "adaptation has always been the poor relation in government." Chris Hinchliff, MP for North East Hertfordshire, emphasized that the country was built for a climate that no longer exists, putting immense pressure on infrastructure, including hospitals.
Health and social care secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the impact of extreme heat on public health and the NHS, stating that the health service needs to plan for summer pressures similarly to winter pressures, including making buildings more resilient to heat.